Best Books for 7 Year Olds According to a 7 Year Old

Each year I share the favorite books that my oldest son has enjoyed over the past year. They have become some of the most popular book lists on Growing Book by Book. Here is this year’s list- Best Books for 7-Year-Olds.

When it comes to sevens, keep in mind a few things.

Keep reading picture books. Kids are never too old to enjoy a great picture book.

Many sevens enjoy listening to a fluent reader read aloud chapter books with engaging plots. This is a great opportunity to introduce kids to different genres.

If you haven’t tried audiobooks, give it a try. Many kids love to listen to them in the car or while drawing or playing with LEGO. They provide an extra dose of vocabulary and modeling of fluent reading.

Introduce series books to developing readers. Some 7-year-olds are just learning to decode and some are ready for early chapter books. Series books help build confidence and connection to characters.

Let kids read and listen to books about topics they are passionate about or interested in learning more about. Yes, this past year I have read loads of Minecraft and Star Wars books that I personally had no interest in, but it has helped my son fall in love with reading.

Now, let’s get to the list of books my 7-year-old recommends to other sevens.

Books for 7-Year-Olds

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The books on this list cover picture books, chapter books, and beginning reader books. Seven-year-olds are ready to explore the vastness of the reading world.

Picture Books

How to Trick the Tooth Fairy by Erin Danielle Russell is full of mischief. The tooth fairy meets a cunning little girl named Kaylee who loves to pull pranks. The two try to outwit each other until they eventually become great friends.

And, by the way, how much did the tooth fairy leave you when you were little. I used to get a quarter and not my kids get $2 bills.

Patricia Polacco is an amazing storyteller and has always been a favorite author of my son. We have read My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother (including watching it on Storyline Online), Tucky Joe and Little Heart (one of my favorites,) and The Mermaid’s Purse countless times. But a favorite this past year has been Ginger & Petunia.

Goldenlocks and the Three Pirates by April Jones Prince is a variation of Goldilocks and the Three Little Pigs. Goldenlocks climbs aboard ship while the pirates are out waiting for their gruel to cool. She proves to be very useful. So useful that the pirates ask her to join the crew.

Baby Monkey, Private Eye by Brian Selznick and David Serlin is part picture book, part early reader, part graphic novel, and has an outside look of a chapter book. I love how the team cleverly thought outside the box.

So the book makes a great read-aloud because you can do a great baby monkey voice, an Italian chef accent, a clown voice and more.

Plus, early chapter book readers will feel so accomplished that they can work through the text with the help of nice large font (my 40 something-year-old eyes appreciated that too.)

Chapter Book Read-Alouds & Audiobooks

We listened to The Wild Robot and The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown as audiobooks and they were the favorite chapter books of the year for every member in our house. A robot washes up on an island and learns to not only how to live in a remote area, but how to love.

A series full of laughs is the Fudge series by Judy Blume. Older siblings can find younger siblings to be annoying at times and that is highlighted in the Fudge series. Plus, there is mischief and fun involved too. Start with Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. One little warning- if your kids still believe in Santa Claus watch out for chapter 10 in the Superfudge book. Highly recommend this one on audiobook as it is read by the author.

When a good friend recommends a book, it really sparks a desire to get it. Heartwood Hotel: A True Home by Kallie George came from a peer recommendation and both my 6 and 7-year-olds loved it. It’s the story of a young mouse who finds an amazing tree hotel for forest creatures. The young mouse finds work and family in this special hotel and in the process helps a lot of animals. If the kids enjoy the book, there are more in the series.

Did you know that James Patterson writes books for younger readers too? We thoroughly enjoyed Word of Mouse. Isaiah is an electric blue mouse who escapes the laboratory. He wants to reunite with his family, but he must free them. Luckily, he has the help of new friends. For another mouse centered book, check out Ragweed by Avi.

My son made his way through every available audiobook of the I Survived…series by Laura Tarshis. Along the way, he was introduced to many events in history from the attacks of 9/11 to the grizzly bear attacks of 1967. Some sensitive readers/listeners may find some of the topics disturbing so be aware.

Books for New and Growing Readers

Beginning readers will feel confident reading Dude! by Aaron Reynolds. Say the same word over and over but watch the punctuation.

Dav Pilkey is a gift to young growing readers, especially boys. Yes, some parents don’t like the potty humor in Captain Underpants, but Pilkey gets youngsters. Millions of kids are becoming readers because of his series from the Ricky Ricotta Mighty Robotseries, Captain Underpants, and the favorite in our house- Dog Man.

Did you get your free list of Books Kids Will Beg You to Read?

About Jodie Rodriguez

Jodie Rodriguez is a mom of two young boys and an early childhood/elementary educator with over 20 years of experience. Jodie's passion is helping parents, teachers, librarians and anyone else interested in nurturing and reaching ALL of our youngest growing readers.